Washington has better numbers for 2017 season

Jessica Manuel

Sports Writer

jmanuel@journal-news.net

Journal photo by Ron Agnir
Members of the Washington football team participate in drills during practice on Monday. The Patriots are looking to win a game in 2017 after dropping all 10 games a year ago.

CHARLES TOWN — There’s one big difference between this year’s Washington football team and last year’s, something that’s obvious right off the bat.

The Patriots have some good numbers.

Not only that, but they’ve got a lot of excitement about the program, something that was obvious during a hot practice Monday evening.

“Here’s what I feel good about, the thing that stuck out to me most of all in this whole thing, is the numbers that we have. We had a full JV squad along with a full varsity squad. I had some new juniors that I had to put on the JV roster to start with — of course, they always get the opportunity to play up — but it really makes me feel good to see the kids,” second-year head coach Glen Simpson said. “They’re finding something that they want in this program, and they’re coming out. That, I think, speaks well to the young men who are participating and the coaches that are involved, the good will in the school. Our program is trying to generate. I think things are improving over last year in that regard.

“When you post an 0-for, you go 0 for 10, and you double the size of your football program, that is pretty cool. When we got on to the field, the kids, they knew it was time to go prepare, they knew it was time to do football stuff, and they were excited about that. Even though it was a hot day on the turf, they were excited to be out there, to be with their friends again and to do football stuff.”

The Patriots have been talking a lot about the legacy each team leaves behind and dedication it takes to leave a good legacy. They’re building this season on the pillars of toughness, commitment and brotherhood, and for Simpson, that model starts with his coaches.

“As a football coach, this is what you live for. In my coaching life, nothing beats this. I’ve got a brotherhood of coaches, too, and when I get to be out there with those guys and we get to demonstrate our craft, we teach each other and we learn from each other. We’re great friends. That brotherhood is awesome, and the kids, they feed off that, too.

“They join that and they become a part of it, as well. It’s really exciting to get these coaches together, get the players together and get everybody excited. Nobody left this building without a smile on their face today going out on the field,” he said.

Energy was high during practice, each player excited to get his shot to line up on the ball. After practice, it was nothing but smiles to be back on the field.

For Washington, the goal this year is to get better every day after going winless during the 2016 campaign. From what Simpson is seeing, the Patriots have the right mental state to start building the program into something great.

“You hear a lot of talk about the process. Whether you’re a Nick Saban fan or Dabo Swinney or Bill Belichick, any great coach you want to name and there are plenty of them in this Panhandle, I guarantee you, they talk about the process of becoming great. It’s in the process where joy is,” he said. “It’s not in the outcome, and these guys are finding joy in the process. That shows growth on their part.”

As much as the mental game is there, Washington’s still got a few things to work out in the physical aspect of the game, starting with conditioning.

“Part of the reason we structure practice the way we do has to do with the conditioning component. We’re taking care of our athletes for sure. We’ve got waters everywhere. Nobody has to ask to get a drink of water. It’s readily available,” Simpson said. “Once we get our sea legs under us because this first day we had a lot of different things pull us away from our on-the-field stuff, we step out of that tomorrow and we get to improve one more day.”

With some experienced players back from last year, including Matt Grant, Mark Bailey, Parker Jackson and Spencer Delawder, the younger players have a lot to learn from, and Simpson is confident that as the season progresses, so will the Patriots.